EU to approve two biopesticides

The European Commission has proposed to approve two biopesticides: Spanish company Biocontrol Technologies’ biofungicide, Trichoderma asperellum strain T34, and Israeli company Bio-Oz biotechnologies’ viral control agent, zucchini yellow mosaic virus – weak strain (ZYMV-WK). The two active ingredients will be formally included in Annex I of EU agrochemical registration Regulation (1107/2009) on June 1st 2013 and the approvals will expire on May 31st, 2023.

The Commission requires that member states shall pay particular attention to the protection of operators and workers, taking into account that Trichoderma asperellum strain T34 is to be considered as a potential sensitiser. Conditions of use shall include risk mitigation measures where appropriate. Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus –Weak Strain is a naturally-occurring plant virus which is applied to small cucurbit plants in a specialized inoculation apparatus. Member states shall pay particular attention to the risk to non-target plants, if the crop plants are co-infected with another virus which can be transmitted by aphids.